Why isn’t Direct Employ NDIS registered (yet)?

Since 2011, our Direct Employ service has supported thousands of participants and families who want greater choice and control over their supports, but do not always have the time, resources or expertise to manage employer obligations on their own.

We have pioneered a service model that enables people to employ their own Support Workers with confidence, while we support them with payroll and compliance requirements. This model has been developed and strengthened over time in collaboration with regulatory bodies and experts, including the Australian Tax Office, WorkSafe, insurance partners, the NDIA and legal teams across the country.

A common question we are asked is why Direct Employ is not currently NDIS registered.

Why isn’t Direct Employ NDIS registered?

The short answer is that the current NDIS registration framework has not yet recognised the unique nature of what we offer.

Direct Employ is not a traditional service provider. We do not provide or match people with Support Workers. Instead, we act as a third-party payroll and compliance expert partner, supporting participants to directly employ their own Support Workers in a compliant way.

In the past, we have sought registration. However, the existing framework was not designed to accommodate services like ours, which sit outside traditional or more common service models.

What is currently being reviewed?

Last year, the NDIS Provider and Worker Registration Taskforce released recommendations on how a risk proportionate registration model could be developed, following the Independent NDIS Review.

This approach recognises that not all services carry the same level of risk and proposes different registration pathways depending on the type of support provided.

Importantly, the Taskforce recognised Self Directed Supports, often referred to as Service for One, as a distinct type of support. This was a significant step forward, particularly for participants and families in regional and remote communities, where community-based solutions are often essential.

What does this mean for Direct Employ?

For many years, we have been waiting for this opportunity. We strongly welcome a risk proportionate approach and the recognition of Self Directed Supports as an important and legitimate type of support.

Being registration ready is now one of our key organisational priorities for this year and next. We have been conducting internal audits to ensure our systems and processes remain robust and ready to adapt as registration requirements are clarified.

We have also continued to engage directly with government and sector stakeholders, including the Minister for the NDIS, Jenny McAllister, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Through these discussions, we have emphasised the importance of including services like Direct Employ in consultation and co-design processes.

In addition, we developed and submitted a detailed response to the Government’s ‘Have Your Say’ consultation on Self Directed Supports, outlining why unique services such as Direct Employ must be included in any future registration framework.

While progress at a government level has slowed again, we continue to follow-up so Carer Solutions remains front of mind. In the year ahead, we may also reach out to some Direct Employ Partners to ask whether you would like to be involved in future consultation opportunities.

In the meantime, please know that we are doing everything we can to be registration ready, while continuing to support you.

Please note: This article relates specifically to our Direct Employ service. Our Plan Management service is already NDIS registered.